Published: Monday, April 22, 2013 at 11:07 p.m.

Last Modified: Monday, April 22, 2013 at 11:07 p.m.

Former Major Leaguer Sammy Stewart has been through the highest of the highs and the lowest of the lows.

The ‘Throwin' Swannanoan,' as he was called throughout his career, played in the big leagues from 1978-87 and had a lifetime ERA of 3.59.

Now 58, Stewart, who played for the Baltimore Orioles, the Boston Red Sox and the Cleveland Indians, is ready to begin a new chapter in his life in a book that's filled with once-in-a-lifetime stories.

This next chapter will begin in Hendersonville, a town he fell in love with while working with the Department of Transportation during his jail sentence that began in 2006 for a felony drug charge.

The baseball years

Even in his early childhood, baseball was his life.

"I loved it. I'd be in the backyard playing all by myself. I'd make up lineup cards, and I'd go through a whole game," Stewart said. "People in the neighborhood would see me playing and talking to myself and they would think, ‘Man, that boy is crazy.' After I got signed by the Orioles out of college, I was like, ‘Who's crazy now?' "

His Major League debut was historic. On Sept. 1, 1978, he faced the Chicago White Sox and ended up striking out seven straight batters.

"I was shocked when it happened. That record had stood since 1954, and here I go out in my first game and break it. It was unbelievable," the former Owen High and Montreat College standout said.

Three years later, he led the American League in ERA with 2.32. Two years after that, he had another all-time high in his life, winning the 1983 World Series with the Orioles.

"That was one of the greatest times in my life. This is the 30-year anniversary of that World Series, and I'm going to a reunion with the team soon. I'm really looking forward to that," he said.

After two more years in Baltimore, he was traded to Boston in 1986 and was with the Red Sox during the 1986 World Series, which is always remembered for Bill Buckner's error at first base. The New York Mets ended up winning in seven games, and Stewart didn't pitch a one of them.

According to an article in the Boston Globe, Stewart said Red Sox manager John McNamara had a grudge with Stewart and didn't allow him to pitch.

"We would've won that Series if I pitched," Stewart told the Globe.

He could be right. In 11 postseason innings pitched, he was never scored on.

The downward spiral

In 1987 he played his final Major League game with the Cleveland Indians. Then after baseball, Stewart got into drugs.

"My past is something I'm not proud of. You see it a lot with professional athletes. We get a lot of money and then end up trying things socially. You can try it just once, and you're hooked," Stewart said.

Just four years removed from one of the highest points in his life, Stewart sank to one of his lowest. He became addicted to cocaine and was charged 46 times with more than 60 offenses. He spent time in and out of jail and on several occasions, cheated death, he said.

"To tell you the truth, I'm surprised that I'm still alive. I got in fights at parties, and I've been stabbed in the back," he said. "I've also driven in bad neighborhoods where I've left being shot at. One time, I had bullets that fell behind my driver's seat."

Like many pro athletes who fall into this pattern, Stewart began selling things to support his addiction, including his prized 1983 World Series championship ring.

"I lost it all. I had all that money in the beginning, and then I had nothing. It happens that quick," he said.

In 2006, he was sentenced to eight years for a felony drug charge. He ended up serving six years and eight months, being released in January.

The next chapter

Now that he's out of prison and clean, Stewart is already starting his new life with Cherie, his girlfriend who lives in Hendersonville.

"I won't lie. The temptations do arise, but Jesus rebukes the devil," Stewart said. "I'm starting a new foundation, and this is a foundation I don't want to see torn down."

He has three children: Alicia, 30; Ryan, 13; and Christian, 12. Alicia has cystic fibrosis, and his other son, Colin, died in 1991, from cystic fibrosis.

He practices baseball with his sons at Jackson Park on occasion.

"One guy at the park saw us and said, ‘Are you going to hit anymore?' I think he was getting kinda worried, because I was hitting them so far, the balls were going towards the tennis courts," Stewart said.

To continue the healing process, he wants to teach his baseball skills to youngsters and also tell his story.

"I used to do clinics back when I was playing ball, and I'd love to start those up again. I know a thing or two about pitching," he said. "I also think I'd be a good motivational speaker. I want to teach kids the dangers of drugs and keep them clear of them. I have a lot of stories to tell."

Anyone interested in Stewart's services can email him at throwinswannanoan@gmail.com or call him at 828-785-2513.

The next chapter in Stewart's life is filled with empty pages, and he's now ready to begin the journey to fill them.

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